Since the projects funded will be uniquely focused on commercial endpoints, the Screening Committee will rely extensively on the external input from the commercial sector: entrepreneurs, members of angel networks, and the venture community for evaluating proposals. The Committee also will provide feedback to individual applicants and encourage resubmission of those projects just falling short of funding selection.

Review Criteria

Selection criteria include:

Scientific and technical merit of the project

Quality of the proposed project as it relates to the potential for commercialization

The adequacy of available funding for commercial advancement of the technology

Feasibility and risk associated with commercialization

Probability of achieving the project goals within the proposed budget and timeline

Potential economic impact of the innovation

Potential for technology transfer to existing industry or new ventures

Clarity of path to commercial viability

Significance of market for the proposed product

Competitive landscape of the market

Probability that the funding will produce results that will lead to external funding

Degree of intellectual property protection required for the technology (patent landscape) and issues of timeline, cost, and potential revenue from a commercial application

Degree of definition of the project objectives toward commercial objectives

Post-project plan

Miscellaneous Factors

Note

Since the goal of the Technology Development Fund is to advance the University’s academic research toward commercialization, any proposals featuring technologies that are licensed/optioned, or developed by, sponsored by, or already affiliated with a for-profit entity will NOT be considered for TDF funding.

Note About Therapeutic and Vaccine Projects

Understanding that funding awards of $40,000 to $100,000 might not add significant value to a therapeutic or vaccine program, these projects will be selected with a specific set of criteria. Emphasis will be placed on the completion of agreed-upon milestones that lead to future funding events and how this proposal might fit into a well thought out commercialization plan.